Would You Buy a 2005 996TT From NY?

[Craig T]

I'm looking at a 21,500 miles midnight blue/Savanah beige 996TT cab at a exotics dealer in Scottsdale, AZ. The guy said the car has been in AZ since 2009. I ran the Carfax and it has service records in NYC, NY since origination up to May of 2013.

I'm not so much worried about the dealer lying (with the exception of Matt, they all lie) as I am 10 years of snow or salt. Its low mileage, so it obviously was not a daily driver and may never have seen snow.

Would a NY car dissuade you guys?

[faverymi]

Very few Porsches are driven in the winter in the NE (except panameras and cayenne)

With that mileage I doubt they took her out in cold months.

Even the most minimum corrosion from salt is easy to spot. Around pulleys, bolts and nuts in the motor. Even the coated rotors get a little a sign too.

Post some pics and I'm sure we can all help

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm a damn dirty liar too.

Honestly it wouldn't concern me. Modern Porsches have some of the best rust proofing that I've ever encountered. I've bought cars from up North, and except for the clamp that holds on the exhaust tip (that is a total SOB) I've never encountered any serious rust issues. Even minor fasteners are typically very dry. It's probably a moot point anyway, with the low miles it was probably somebody's weekend toy anyway.

[Por_sha911]

NYC potholes will kill a suspension.
NYC drivers know only two speeds: floored or brake hard. (I grew up there)
Do you think the lying dealer will tell you if he rode it hard and put it up wet before he decided to sell it? Are you sure it isn't a Katrina car with a sanitized title?

Unless you can get a PPI from someone you KNOW isn't buddies with the dealer I would say "pass".

[Craig T]

Ok, that relieves my concern. Now the second concern...I've owned many Porsches, including race cars, but never owned a cabriolet. Will people think I'm gay when driving with the top down (not that there's anything wrong with that)?

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

NYC potholes will kill a suspension.
NYC drivers know only two speeds: floored or brake hard. (I grew up there)
Do you think the lying dealer will tell you if he rode it hard and put it up wet before he decided to sell it? Are you sure it isn't a Katrina car with a sanitized title?

Unless you can get a PPI from someone you KNOW isn't buddies with the dealer I would say "pass".

I actually looked at a "lifelong Dallas car" That carfax showed being sold and titled in new Orleans the shipped to Dallas in 2005. I ran!

[speeder]

With any of these cars, you need to really look them over. On a ten year old car, even with low miles, putting it on a rack and looking closely will reveal a lot. There are things that just cannot be hidden or detailed out. Same with interior. I've looked at a lot of Sandy cars, for instance, and they all showed evidence of salt water exposure. Some were brand new cars from dealer lots.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Ok, that relieves my concern. Now the second concern...I've owned many Porsches, including race cars, but never owned a cabriolet. Will people think I'm gay when driving with the top down (not that there's anything wrong with that)?

I wouldn't drive it but YMMV, as they say.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

NYC potholes will kill a suspension.
NYC drivers know only two speeds: floored or brake hard. (I grew up there)
Do you think the lying dealer will tell you if he rode it hard and put it up wet before he decided to sell it? Are you sure it isn't a Katrina car with a sanitized title?

Unless you can get a PPI from someone you KNOW isn't buddies with the dealer I would say "pass".

A car that's been rode hard and put away wet should be evident. But a good PPI is never a bad idea.

Originally Posted by Craig T

Ok, that relieves my concern. Now the second concern...I've owned many Porsches, including race cars, but never owned a cabriolet. Will people think I'm gay when driving with the top down (not that there's anything wrong with that)?

You're pretty enough to get away with it. Is it cheaper than a similar coupe though? The 996TT cabs seem to sit on the market a LONG time.

[recycled sixtie]

I bought my 2011 Lexus RX350 in Edmonton but it came off lease from Toronto. Knowing that Toronto uses lots of salt I was concerned . It had 40k miles on it. Had a PPI done and mechanic said there was no salt damage.

A convertible? I prefer a coupe. Better lines and safer.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

You're pretty enough to get away with it. Is it cheaper than a similar coupe though? The 996TT cabs seem to sit on the market a LONG time.

JEEEZ Matt, one evening dinner by the fire pit in Nubo Malibu and you're already paying complements. You're easy!

It has sat there a while, but hes not below coupe prices for a similar car...yet. Problem is, some guy PPI'd it already. It needed a slave cylinder, hydraulics for the rear spoiler, and tires. He wen't ahead and made the repairs. Now he's too deep into the car. He wants $54k. I offered $50k. We're at a standstill.

This car replaces my hot rod and race car. If I don't buy a cab, it's only a matter of time before it turn it into a race car. The cab is self preservation...I mean marriage preservation.

[onewhippedpuppy]

There was a stunning turbo S cab at auction several weeks ago that I think went for less than that. Seems high for a cab unless it is simply amazing.

[enzo1]

theres a black one on ebay 2004.... little high but u can make an offer 1 owner Arizona

[Gogar]

Yes people will think you're gay. You mean you're not gay?

[porsche4life]

Craig, if you pm me the info I can run by and check it out for rust for you on Monday.

[aigel]

I would not touch a NY car with a 10 foot pole. Especially if you already live in AZ. A car form all life CA or all life AZ will cost the same, so why compromise? I also think cars that travel the states are potentially trouble because to possible title fraud (washing a salvage title clean). This may not be easy, but it isn't at all possible if it is an all time same state car.

The 993 may not be as rust-proof as a newer 911, but whenever I look at DIY documentation from a wet/salty area, I am amazed how much worse every piece of metal on their car looks, compared to mine. That includes aluminum ... and my car having 140k miles.

I do like convertibles and I would drive a 997TT. I am not a homophobe.

G

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by enzo1

theres a black one on ebay 2004.... little high but u can make an offer 1 owner Arizona

scratch this one unless you want a tip...

[LakeCleElum]

Leave factual reviews about dealer being Shady and walk........

[enzo1]

Figured I'd compile some data for anyone that may be interested. Data is sorted from lowest production number to highest:

997 GT2 total - 205
2008: 185
2009: 20

996 GT2 total - 317
2001 (2002 Model year): 14
2002: 184
2003: 90
2004: 24
2005: 5

Carrera GT ('04 to '06) total - 604

997 GT3 RS total to date - 810
MK1: 413
MK2: 397 (up to Nov '10)

996 GT3 total - 960
2003 (2004 model year): 257
2004: 607
2005: 96

997 GT3 total to date - 1462
MK1: 916
MK2: 546 (up to Nov '10)

997TT total to date - 8,009
2006 (2007 Model Year): 1156
2007: 3509
2008: 2141
2009: 872
2010 (up to Feb '10): 331

996TT total - 9,180
2001 Coupe: 2418
2002 Coupe: 2318
2003 Coupe: 1384
2003 Cab: 482
2004 Coupe: 298
2004 Cab: 1490
2005 Coupe: 186
2005 Cab: 604

[aigel]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

There was a stunning turbo S cab at auction several weeks ago that I think went for less than that. Seems high for a cab unless it is simply amazing.

I agree, 50k seems high but I thought maybe the low miles help? I'd rather go for a 997 with higher miles and add $10k.

G